The process of making an Act

Question 1

What are the 3 main parts to creating an act?

Answer 1

The Bill goes through the house of commons first
Then through the House of Lords
Then through royalty (royal assent)

Question 2

What are the 8 stages of law making by parliament?

Answer 2

1. A bill goes to the house of commons
2. Then it goes through a first reading
3. Then a second reading
4. Then a committee stage
5. Then the report stage
6. Then a third reading
7. Then to the House of Lords
8. Royal assent

Question 3

How does the process begin and what is a bill?

Answer 3

The process begins with the production of a bill.
A bill is a draft proposal for new law. This is usually the responsibility of the Government minister who has responsibility for the subject matter that the bill refers to

Question 4

What happens next when the bill is introduced into the house of commons?

Answer 4

The bill is then introduced into the house of commons at the First Reading. This is merely an informal introduction to the house so the MPs and any other interested parties can receive a copy and take it away to consider their opinions of it. They may also consult constituents

Question 5

What happens next when there is a second reading?

Answer 5

On a later occasion, there will be a second reading of the Bill. This is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after the first reading.

Question 6

What happens at the second reading?

Answer 6

The MPs responsible for the bill (the promoter) will outline the bills purpose. The MPs are allowed to stand and give a short speech saying why they support or oppose the bill.

Question 7

What happens if its a government bill?

Answer 7

If its a government bill it will normally be supported by MPs from the same party and often the MPs from the opposing party will raise any objections they have and promoters may make amendments if good ideas are suggested

Question 8

What happens at the end of this debate at the second hearing?

Answer 8

At the end of the debate, a vote will take place to allow progression if the majority are in support of the bill.

Question 9

What happens at the next stage which is the committee stage?

Answer 9

The next stage is the committee stage where a detailed examination of the bill takes place. It usually starts within a couple weeks of a bills second reading, although this is not guaranteed.

Question 10

What are the 3 types of committee?

Answer 10

1. Standing committee
2. Select committee
3. Committee of the whole house

Question 11

What happens at the standing committee?

Answer 11

A group of 16-50 MPs (selected in promotion to the house) will examine the bill in great detail.

Question 12

What happens at the select committee?

Answer 12

Where the selected MPs will scrutinise the bill in a committee room and call expert witnesses to assist them

Question 13

What happens at the committee of the whole house?

Answer 13

These are for bills of major importance where the whole house (all MPs) are invited to attend. Amendments can be and often are suggested at this stage.

Question 14

What happens at the report stage?

Answer 14

As not all MPs were involved at committee stage the bill is reported back to the house.
This will allows everyone to consider the proposed amendment made at committee
MPs may then vote to accept the amendments.

Question 15

What happens at the third reading

Answer 15

This is the last chance for the bill tp be discussed in the commons. It’s final and (possibly amended) form is now debated
Further minor amendments can be mad and then the bill is passed to the House of Lords.

Question 16

What happens at the House of Lords?

Answer 16

The lords take the bill through the same stages as in the commons (eg first and second reading etc)
However there’s 3 things that the Lords can also do

1. They can refuse to allow the bill to pass if they object to SOME of the content where they will make amendments. Then the bill goes back to the House of Commons and if these amendments are accepted the bill will be passed
2. They can refuse to accept the bill complete if so the commons will may have to scrap the bill or reintroduce it with more acceptable provisions to satisfy the lords

Question 17

What happened in 2003 with the bill to ban fox-hunting?

Answer 17

In 2003, the lords refused to accept the bill to ban fox-hunting. The commons can and did use the powers under the Parliament Acts (1911 and 1949) which allows the commons to force a bill through the lords despite their objections

Question 18

What happens at the last stage, the Royal Assent?

Answer 18

The bill can’t become law and an Act until the monarch signs it and gives it royal assent
Then the Act will come into force on a future date stated in the Act